Straight-edge.



H. 'I'. JONES.

STRAIGHT EDGE.

APPLIOATION FILED DBG. 2, 1912,

/NVEN T OR THE NDRRIS PETERS C0.. PHOTO-LITHG., WASHINGTON. D. CA

HENRY TIMOTHY JONES, OF HUDSON FALLS, NEW YORK.

STRAGfHT-EDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lPatentedlFeb. 16, 1915..

Application med December a, 1912. serial No. 734,544..

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, HENRY TIMOTHY JONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 8 Cherry street, Hudson Falls, lVashington county, New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Straight-Edges, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements 1n straight edges and one of the objects of my invention is to provide a straight edge for construction work which is adapted to be used either as a level or a plumb and which is also adapted to be extended or contracted in accordance with the requirement under which it is used.

As a special feature, in connection with the extensible feature, 1 prefer to construct the straight edge in the form of a skeleton frame composed of detachable sections adapted to be connected or disconnected in accordance with the length of the straight edge desired.

Further objects and features of my invention will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and will be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

1n the drawing: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal'sectional View of one form of' my'invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a central and intermediate section of the straight edge. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of an outer section, together with a terminal straight edge section showing the manner of connecting the two. Fig. 4C is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the device of my invention as a level to obtain the pitch of an inclined ioor or roof.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the different figures of the drawing.

As illustrated, my invention comprises a straight edge frame structure made up of a plurality of sections and the same comprises a central section 1, intermediate sections 2, end sections 3 and terminal sections 4. The several sections are adapted to be attached in end to end alined relation in accordance with the length of the surface to be plumbed or leveled or in accordance with the length of the surface to which the straight edge is -to be applied for any other purpose.

Referring more particularly to the central section l, the same consists of parallel longitudinal straight edge portions 5 and 6 connected by transverse members 7, 8, 9 and 10. The straight edge portions and 6 together with the members 7, 8, 9 and lO, and preferA ably throughout the construction of the several sections, are shown formed of tubular The straight edge portions 5 and 6, at one end, are recessed as at 11 and 12 to provide male telescoping connecting portions and abutting shoulders 13 and 14. rll`he opposite ends of the straight edge portions 5 and G are formed as female telescoping socket connections, as indicated at 15 and 1G. The male and female socket connections, for all of the skeleton sections of the structure are suitably recessed, similarly to the portions 5 and 6, so as to dispose the straight edge portions or connections in flush relation, as will be readily seen by reference to Fig. 1. Section 1 is provided with a level 17, of any well-known or suitable type for determining the horizontal position of parts of the structure. The level 17 may be removably mount ed, as indicated at 18 and 19, to the parts 7 and 8. A plumb 20 for determining the degree of incline from the vertical is removably disposed in mountings 21 and 22 secured to the part 8. Each intermediate section2 preferably consists of parallel straight edge portions 23 and 24- connected by transversely disposed members 25 and 26.

End members 3 consist of straight edge portions 27 and 28 connected by a transverse member 29. rThe straight edge portion 27 of the end members 3 is integral with the portion 30 which is inclined outwardly and downwardly until it joins the straight edge portion 28. r1`he end sections 3 are adapted to receive terminal sections 4: which latter are preferably recessed at 31 to telescope straight edge portions 28. The terminal section 4 may be provided with adjustable rod supports 32, adjustably mounted in sockets 33 secured to the terminals 4.

As indicated in the drawing the tubular construction, in cross section, is not complete but is provided with longitudinal openings so that when the parts are telescoped they may be constructed to be slightly sprung or to lit so snugly that the straight edge sections 'will be rigidly connected. If desired, however, fastening means may be provided and in each case such means may comprise a bolt, as indicated at 34, in Fig. 2, the head of which may engage one side of the member 25 and the nut of which may be turned home on the bolt into engagement with the member 9 so as to lock the central and intermediate sections 1 and 2 in telescoped relation. A lock ing bolt 36 may be provided to lock the terminal sections t in the position shown in Fig. l, in telescoping relation with the end sections 3, or such sections may be locked in telescopio relation with the terminal 4 withdrawn or lengthened out to any desired extent.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art how the sections may be interchangeably connected or disconnected with and from each other to meet the various requirements when the device is used in practice. Apart from the use of the straight edge in any of the more conventional ways, I have shown in Fig. 4, one utility of the device of my invention determining the pitch of an inclined roof. The roof is indicated at 37, diagrammatically, and the device of my invention is diagrammatically applied thereto illustrating the support 32 extended downwardly to support the straight edge structure in a horizontal position. When adjustment has been effected, the member 32 may be iiXed as by a set screuT 32 so as to afford the required rigidity of support.

While I have herein shown and described one specic embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

I claim l. A straight edge tool comprising in combination, a skeleton frame composed of detachably connected sections, each section comprising tubular portions connected with each other and providing parallel straight edge portions, the tubular portions of one section having portions adapted for telescopic connection with the adjacent section in end to end relation with respect thereto, substantially as described.

2. A straight edge tool comprising in combination, a skeleton frame composed of an upper straight edge portion, a lower straight edge portion extending beyond said upper straight edge portion, frame members and an inclined portion uniting the upper and lower straight edge portions, extension terminal bar sections on the lower straight edge portion, and adjustable supports on said terminal bar section disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, substantially as described.

3. An extension straight edge tool comprising in combination a light rigid frame composed of detachable interchangeable connected sections, each section having straight edges and serving when united to forma continous straight edge, levels removably secured parallel and at right angles to said straight edge and adjustable supporting members at right angles to said straight edge secured to each end of said frame, substantially as described.

4. A straight edge tool including its complemental horizontal and vertical levels comprising in combination a plurality of sections adapted when connected to form a. straight edge, the outermost sections adapted to retain telescopic members, adapted to be extended to form a continuous straight edge, and vertically disposed supports slidably mounted in said telescopic extension substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY TIMOTHY JONES.

IVitnesses:

MARY E. LAwLnR, GRANVILLE M. INGALsBn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

